Ventilated shower curtain



9, 1954 J. KIMMONS VENTILATED SHOWER CURTAIN Filed Oct. 19, 1949 JNVENTOR. JEWEL I. K\ MMONS,

w \1. 9% I A'rmmvnr |Ui i Patented Feb. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES .iATENT OFFICE.

1 Claim.

This invention relates to shower bath curtains and has particular reference to such curtains that are ventilated in a manner to insure 0f the curtain hanging straight throughout the period when the shower is being used.

It is a well known fact, that the conventional shower curtain will, when the shower is being used, tend to be drawn inward under the influence of the partial vacuum created by the flow of water from the shower, thus causing the curtain to hug the body of the operator.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shower curtain that is formed with a plurality of relief openings over the major area for permitting a flow of air therethrough to counteract the vacuum created by the water, thus resulting in the curtain hanging straight and free from contact with the body of the user at all times.

A further object of the invention resides in forming a shower curtain with a multiplicity of openings over its surface, with shields over the openings that permit the flow of air therethrough, yet are arranged to prevent the passage of water from the shower to the outside.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a gutter along the lower edge of the curtain that is calculated to fill with water during the use of the shower to impart added weight to the lower end of the curtain to further aid in maintaining the curtain in a straight hanging position, with relatively small drain openings in the bottom of the gutter whereby the water collected therein will drain away, but at a slower rate than it takes to maintain the gutter full. M

Other novel features of the invention will be readily apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the embodiments of the invention and wherein like characters of reference denote like parts throughout.

Referring to the drawings: A

Figure 1 is a fragmentary inner side elevation of a shower curtain constructed in accordance with the invention, 5 40 Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one upper corner of the curtain, also from the inside, V

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary inner side elevation of one upper corner of a modified form of the invention,

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4 and, 55

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a shower curtain as a whole, or any desirable material and size, although a curtain, for purposes of this invention, is preferably formed of a water-proof material, such as plastic. The curtain is preferably, though not necessarily formed with a plurality of vertically arranged folds or pleats 6, extending for the height thereof. Each pleat 6, adjacent its upper end is provided with a grommet l, for the reception of the conventional rings or hooks 8, slidable in the usual manner on a rod 9, supported from the shower bath wall It. The lower end of the curtain 5, see particularly Figures 1 and 6, is turned up to provide a gutter I I, closed at its ends and provided with relatively small drain openings 1 2 at spaced points,

The curtain 5, see Figures 1 to 3, is provided with vertical rows of generally rectangular openings l3. Positioned over the openings and inclined inwardly from the inside of the curtain, are flaps or shields l4, formed of a materialsimilar to that of the curtain. The shields M are cemented along their upper edges to the curtain 5, as at 15, paralleling the openings 13. The shields M are of a size to completely overlie the openings I3 and, when the curtain is extended, tend to assume an angular position, as shown, for permitting an uninterrupted flow of air through the openings when the shower, not shown, is operated. The shields M are flexible and permit the curtain to be shifted to folded position along the rod 9. The shields l4, while shown as being normally disposed at an angle when the curtain is extended, may also normally lie flat against the side of the curtain and be drawn inwardly under the action of the shower to uncover the openings l3, much in the manner of a check valve. The overlying position of the shields l4, while permitting a free flow of air through the opening, will prevent the passage of water through the openings to the outside of the shower bath. The shields may be further connected with the curtain by attaching their free corners to the sides of the folds or pleats 6 to permanently position the shields in an angular manner.

In the use of this form of the invention, the curtain having been extended as shown, the operator starts the flow of water from the shower. Under normal use, with the old conventional shower curtain, the flow of water from the shower creates partial vacuum within the shower bath, due in part to a variation in temperature and partly to the flow of air drawn downwardly by the water. The resulting action under these conditions, is that the curtain is drawn inwardly toward the stream of water, causing it to adhere to the body of the operator, making it extremely difiicult to properly bathe. With the improved curtain of this invention, when the water is started, any tendency to draw the curtain inwardly is relieved by the flow of air through the openings 13, thus maintaining the curtain in a straight hanging position. The curtain is further supported against any tendency to be drawn inwardly by the collection of water in the gutter H, thus adding additionalweightat the lower end. The openings I: of the'gutter are sufliciently small as to insure that thegutter will remain full of water throughout the operation of the shower, but will readily drain through the openings 12 when the flow of water is discontinued.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures'4 and'5, the curtain l6 isprovided with the folds or pleats 11, having the grommets 18 adjacent their upper ends for the reception of the hanger hooks, as in Figure 1. In this form of the invention, openings 19 are formed over the major area of the curtain by molding or pressing the material outwardly to form shields 20, integral with the curtain around the upper portion of the openings and open at their lower portions to communicate with the openings l9,'-with the lower edges of the shields extended below the lower edges of the openings to thereby permit an uninterrupted flow, of air through the openings, but serving to prevent the passage of water in a reverse direction through the openings. The shields and openings have been shown as generally oval, but obviously, other shapes may be employed with equal success. Since the shields are pressed from or molded into shape, they obviously-are preferably integral with the curtain l and, being ofthe same material, will readily permit the curtain to be shifted to folded position. While the-curtain of Figures 4' and 5 have been illustrated with the pleatsor' folds 11, it will beapparent that such pleats 'can be dispensed with andthe curtain formed as a single sheet with the openings and shields distributed over its area in apredetermined number and'design.-=-The pleats -l'l--were merely illustrated in this form of the invention as carrying forth the general forms of Figure 1 and setting up a symmetrical design that tends to cause a uniform folding of the curtain. The operation of this form of the invention is identical with that described in connection with Figures 1 to 3.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel and highly desirable form of shower curtain has been provided. The ventilating of the curtain avoids the very objectionable flapping action of the curtain due to the reduction of air pressures on the shower side of the curtain and assures that the curtain will maintain a straight hanging position under all temperature conditions and volume of water flow, permitting a free flow of air through the openings [3 and 19 with no possibility of water splashing through the openings to the outside area. The device may be formed of many types of materials, is strong, durable, cheap to manufacture and highly efficient in use.

It is to be understood, that while two forms of the invention have been shown and described, that various changes in the shape, size, arrangement of openings and shields and their manner of application may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claim.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure .by Letters Patent is:

A curtain for shower baths formed of flexible material and provided with vertically arranged pleats throughout its height equidistantly spaced, said curtain provided with vertically arranged rows of equidistantly vertically spaced rectangular openings between each pair of pleats, angularly disposed flexible shields arranged over each opening with the upper edge of each shield cemented to the curtain along a 'line parallel with the upper edge of the openings, the said'shields from their point of attachment extending outwardly and downwardly to completely overlie the openings, the said shields being flexible with the curtain, the lower ends of the curtain folded upon itself to form a gutter with its ends closed, said gutter provided with a plurality of drain openings in its bottom. 7

-- JEWEL I. KIMMONS.-

References Cited in the file of this Pam UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,535,056 Stoloff Apr. 21, 1925 1,898,233 Woods Feb. 21, 1933 2,024,090 Cadmus Dec.'10,l935 

